Though the vagina itself isn't the be-all-end-all of your sex life, it's vital to know it could negatively impact your sex life if not kept healthy—and greatly improve it, when healthy.
"There are a lot of nerve endings in there!" said Nisha McKenzie, PA-C, IF, CSC, Grand Rapids OB/GYN and Director of the Center for Women's Sexual Health. A fierce advocate for communicating openly about our bodies, she stresses there are some important pre- and post-vaginal sex guidelines women should follow to stay healthy:
- Use lubrication pre-sex. "Every. Single. Time. Whether you're 20 years old or 80!" said McKenzie. Ask your certified sex educator, counselor or therapist about the best type of lube to try.
- Wrap it up to protect you and your partner. "Until you are certain both you and your partner consider your relationship monogamous and have both had testing at the start of your relationship," said McKenzie, "you must use condoms every time."
Stay up to date with your sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. And don't be afraid to ask your partner prior to any genital touching if they are also up to date and what their results were.
What benefits of a healthy vagina might you notice during sex?
Erections. "Yes, ladies, you too can have an erection," McKenzie said.
"I know this sounds strange but bear with me a minute: Blood flows and, yep, the clitoral tissue will become engorged—aka erect—if blood flow is healthy! Just because it doesn't stick out away from the body does not mean the tissue isn't erect." Keep small vessels unclogged and flowing freely by not smoking.
More intense orgasms! "When women are able to orgasm," said McKenzie, "the various muscles that make up the pelvic floor contract—often intensifying the orgasm. These muscles are best able to this when properly coordinated. So, a healthy pelvic floor can contribute to a more intense orgasm."
Reason No. 486 to get in touch with your friendly neighborhood pelvic floor physical therapist!
Increased lubrication. It's well known that even healthy tissue can lack lubrication.
"This is sometimes due to a partner's lack of knowledge or effort, but sometimes it's just science," said McKenzie. "Women are not all wet all the time, no matter what some men may think." She adds that unhealthy tissue—whether due to hormonal disturbances, pain or infection—will almost certainly not lubricate.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for West Michigan Woman.
